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Chambersburg officials name fire tax for arbitrator: Richard Kasher

By LAUREN CAPPUCCIO@LCappuccioPO

Updated:
09/30/2013 10:17:06 PM EDT

CHAMBERSBURG - Property owners in the borough of Chambersburg should expect to see a tax increase next year after Chambersburg Borough Council voted Monday evening to implement a fire tax from 2014 through 2016.

The Richard Kasher Fire Tax, named by council after the impartial arbitrator in a recent arbitration, will create a fire tax to eligible borough residences.

This tax will be an increase of 2.5 mills in 2014 and 3 mills in 2015 and 2016, Borough Manager Jeffrey Stonehill said. One hundred percent of the tax's proceeds will go toward the fire department.

"No borough manager wants to stand up in front of council and present this," Stonehill said. "It's a dark day for council."

Stonehill told council that he researched every option available to not have to do an increase but said that the recent arbitration decision has forced a $868,000 per year hole in the emergency services department, or 27 percent of the budget.

He presented several scenarios, including contracting fire services, creating a regional fire department, getting grants or cutting a department, but said that the tax is the best option.

All eligible property owners in the borough who pay real estate taxes will have to pay the rate and commercial and industrial properties will pay more, Stonehill said.

Stonehill said that this tax equates to $42 per year in real estate tax in 2014 and $52 in 2015 and 2016.

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Other things that will go into effect at the beginning of next year will include canceling plans to refurbish the fire department aerial ladder truck and the increase of ambulance fees and fire code inspection fees by 25 percent.

Several members of the community voiced their opinions, including the idea that taxes should have been raised sooner to avoid this outcome as well as the idea it was in poor taste to name the tax after one individual.

Allen Coffman said the decision reflects the "financial status" of council and in his almost 20 years on council, he only saw taxes raised twice.

"This is not done light-heartedly," he said.

Chambersburg Fire Department Chief William Fitzgerald said that any decision made by council will not impact his work in the borough.

"We are doing the best we can to provide the best possible service," Fitzgerald said. "We will continue to do our job the best way we can."

Council voted 8-0 to accept the resolution, with council President William McLaughlin and member Thomas Newcomer absent.